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Criminal Homicide Law and Legal Definition

Criminal homicide may be classified as murder, manslaughter, or criminally
negligent homicide. A person commits criminal homicide if he intentionally,
knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another
person. Homicides that are neither justifiable nor excusable are considered
crimes.

Non-criminal homicides include killing in self-defense, an accidental
death like a hunting accident or automobile collision without a violation
of law like reckless driving, or carrying out a sentence of execution.
An execution is an example of a justifiable homicide, which is an intentional
killing done in accordance with legal obligation, or in circumstances where
the law recognizes no wrong. Justifiable homicide may also include killings
necessary to prevent a felony or to arrest a suspected felon, and killings
in self-defense. In some states of the United States, one may lawfully
kill in resisting the unlawful invasion of a home or real property.